Arena Point development: Leeds reacts to plans for city's tallest student accommodation tower

The 43-storey development in Merrion Way in Leeds city centre, will be a purpose-built student accommodation scheme by Olympian Homes, featuring 720 beds across a mix of studio apartments and shared cluster flats.

The proposed development will replace an office block, Arena Point, and will sit between existing tall buildings on Merrion Way including 36-storey Altus House, another student accommodation scheme being delivered by Olympian Homes.

The Yorkshire Evening Post's readers had a lot to say about the new development, with some readers concerned at plans to build more student accommodation in the city centre.

Adele Hirst said: "I can’t wait to see what happens when they do the yearly exodus, the whole content of a flat will be thrown out. Now multiply that by several hundred flats.

Clare Walsh said: "There is quite enough student accommodation already, and it is too expensive and poorly built.

"There is no parking for them. It isn't reducing the numbers living in HMOs in Headingley or Hyde Park, and until it is cheaper to rent it won't do either.

"Leeds is relying far too much on making heaps of money from students."

Peter Ongley said: "Love the idea of tall buildings but not for students occupying them. It should be long term residents to bring life into the city."

Shaz Dean agreed and said: "Fund the communities that have been left to decline than building student accommodation. I'm sure the money would benefit everyone than just allowing it all to go in the city centre."

Students living in the tower will have a choice of studio apartments, which include a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom, and cluster flats that will include a series of individual study bedrooms alongside a shared kitchen, living and dining spaces.

But some YEP readers questioned the development's design.

Michael Canny said: "Why are planners so happy for Leeds to have a skyline reminiscent of a field full of 'broken fridges'?

"Happy to have more students propping up the economy but let's see some architectural flair for a change."

Gerard Riordan said: "Not a bad design those on the right, but very close together making shadows and wind tunnels.

Leeds is doing awesome, will soon be a million population."

Chris Wade said: "I like it. It fits with the other towers in the area.

"Next time though, in a new area, please can we be more adventurous with our architecture? We need more statement buildings in Leeds.

"If we are "building up" this is more important than ever."

Others supported the plans and were excited to see money put into the building trade.

Louis Wightman said: "Get on with it, it will keep people in jobs. It doesn't look out if place and will remove an aging underused building.

Melvyn Appleyard agreed and said: "Leeds is going from strength to strength, building bigger buildings, business is booming in the building trade so it's nothing that surprises me."

Dxn Whxteley said: "Fantastic news for the city! The student areas have reached their limits. There is plenty of folk in LS6, LS4 etc that own their homes or are just Leeds residents.

"If this contains 720 beds, the average student house in Headingley has five beds - this is an astronomical amount of space saved and convinces more to actually live within the busy city centre.

"My grandparents own their house in LS6 and are constantly hounded about having their property bought for students, building these in the city will help counter that."

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